How Does Security Window Film Work?

Window film is the self-adhesive polyester film applied to glass surfaces, usually as a ‘retrofit’ application, on home windows and commercial buildings to enhance the security, heat and cold, and appearance. Here we’ve outlined how security window film works and the circumstances in which it could come in handy.

Helps with Solar Control

To begin with, there are different types of window film, including:

Metallized or reflective films that absorb and reflect solar energy

Dyed or non-reflective films that mostly absorb solar energy

Ceramic or nanofilms that use high-tech compounds to deliver high performance

When solar radiation strikes glass that is protected with window film, the film acts as a ‘sunscreen’ to block harmful UV radiation and regulate the amount of light and heat passing through the glass. The amount of light and heat rejected depends on the type of window film installed as discussed above.

Increases Safety

Besides filtering heat and light, safety window film is also used to hold the glass in place in the event of breakage. When normal glass breaks, the chances of injury to a person or piece of property is very high. But with the application of security window film to existing glass, intruder permeability, excess damage and injury is significantly reduced.

In fact, there is existing legislation regarding the use of safety glazing materials in specific building constructions. This legislation is meant to protect people from bodily harm if they walk into a glass pane. The safety film basically reduces and virtually eliminates injury from such impact, since the glass, though cracked or broken, remains attached to the film, and is usually still intact in its frame.

The film’s elasticity and tensile strength, combined with its high resistance to shear, substantially remove – if not completely eliminate – the ability of an individual walking through a glass pane.

There are many different effects that can cause the glass to break. The type of event is what influences the type and extent of personal injury and damage to property. Some of the ways that glass breakage occurs include:

Impact stress from flying objects

Mechanical flexing stress, such as that from strong wind

Tensile stress, such as that from the weight of the glass itself

Thermal stress due to the absorption of solar radiation

Twisting stress from the movement of the building

Security window film can also be fitted to residential glass and sliding doors, especially in areas with children and other high-risk areas. In commercial buildings, the film can be used in retail stored to prevent a break-in. Otherwise, the normal glass would easily break and collapse if a hard object was thrown towards it, giving the robber a chance to reach items inside and remove them. Fortunately, the noise and time delay is sufficient to deter most would-be robbers.

as a sensor and can detect motion and capture video, all of which will be sent along with the alert to the second phone. With Presence, you can set up as many sensors (mobile phones) to monitor different areas of your home.

iZon Wi-Fi Video Monitor

This is a tiny webcam mounted on a dome base to allow tilting for multiple angle video recording for up to 35 seconds. The captured video is automatically uploaded to your YouTube account. The recording can be initiated by tapping the Record button or can be triggered by a motion detector. Even if the camera is destroyed after the recording, you can still retrieve the video online via a private YouTube link. It also comes with an iOS app for remote monitoring.

Final Note

Although some home security systems are quite complex and costly, inaccessibility should not be the reason why you leave your home unprotected. With just your smartphone and a small device, you can assemble an affordable and fully functional home security system.